The Portland daily press., 1887-04-15
THE PRESS.
A COMPANY OF THREE.
Cassell's Magazine.
CHAPTER la MANS WILL.


his friend, Wybert Moss, were talking about
John Pawson, and they agreed that he was
one of the best men in Swarfton, and they
rejoiced at his prosperity in life.
HE has nothing to trouble him." said
Lumley.
sand plenty of money! replied Moss.
(which is more than can say about my
self"
"The same old tale" was Iumlev,s laugh
ng answer, and he hurried away.
But John Pawson had a good deal to
trouble him just then, as he often said to
himself when he was alone; for he had
formed the habit Of speaking his thoughts,
and sometimes did so even in company.
He entered Burtonford's bank when he
was boy, and was always a favorite with
the late Mr.. Anthony Burtonford, Nobody
was surprised when John Pawson became
partner; it was in accordance with the fit
ness of things. But what surprised the pub
lie was that Eric Burtonford, the bankers
nephew, was sent adrift.
Il would rather be customer at the bank
to WSbeT Mass s TSa Is s ao
the best man in the world to get on with.
His temper is all thick and thin. His good
qualities are in great Jumps; but, before you
KNOW where you are e., ne IS raging and storm
he knew very little about bankers, but he
would take his informant's word for it.
always trust the auctioneer," said Lum-
ley .r
him with my debts, if he will take charge of
them"
Then there was laugh and the two part
ed
The general opinion in Swarfton was that
Anthony Burtonford had quarrelled with
his nephew, and that the uncle's temper and
Eric's pride had been both to blame. But
Eric went away from Swarfton, and did not
return even when Mrs. Bnrtonford the
bankers wife, died.
"Eric's in London painting pictures" said
the gossips, land he ought to have come to
the funeral, though he is not own nephew to
Mrs. Burtonford; but If his uncle's wife is
not kinship enough, the world is coming to a
pretty state"
So Eric was blamed for his omission of
duty But the banker said nothing. He
never mentioned his nephew's name, and
never allowed anybody else to do so in his
hearing. 1t was usually thought, however,
was that John Pawson an exception to this
rule, and the conjecture was right; he knew
why Eric had been sent away, and why he
did not appear at the funeral
Then Mr.. Burtonford died very suddenly,
and rumor was busy again. Eric would be
sure to come this time, and he would remain
at Swarfton. and take his uncle's place at
the bank. Picture painting was all very well
in its way, but it was not reasonable to sup
pose that it could ever be permitted to in
terfere with a bank. Moreover, here was
Edith Markham. the late Mrs. Burtonford's
niece. Everybody had always said Edith
and Eric were intended for each other, and
everybody felt that it would be a great
shame If the general expectation were
thwarted.
But the funeral took place, and Eric was
Then by degrees the truth leaked out
about the bankers will Popular feeling be-
came divided at once.
"Eric Burtonford is no good" said the
spokesman of one party ''There is some
thing ander the surface which we have new
er seen. His uncle has not left him brass
farthing. Why. the worst case ever heard
of before was not as bad as that. To be cut
off with shilling is rather stiff, but to be
cut off without anything beats the record in
this kind OF business The banker left all he
had to Edith Markham, but if ever she looks
at Eric or speaks to him she is to lose her
fortune"
You are partly correct" said the spokes-
woman on the other side of public opinion.
''Some of your facts are wrong, and your in
ferences are completely so. We all know that
Mr. Burtonford was passionate and head
strong. My opinion is that Eric only said
his soul was his own, and his uncle could not
forgive him. But the will does not declare
that Edith is to lose her fortune If she speaks
to Eric; she is not to do so without the con-
sent of John Pawson."
Perhaps it is true that rumor is seldom al
together wrong, and never altogether right
The will of the banker was that, after GER
tain legacies had been paid, including large
one to John Pawson, the residue should be
held in trust for Edith Markham. But there
was this strange condition in the will: If
Edith, during the time that she renamed
unmarried had any interview or held any
communication with Eric Burt0nford, eX-
capt with the consent and in the presence of
John Pawson, she should forfeit her share
Of the property, and it should be held in
trust for Robert Lumley, auctioneer, and
Wybert Morse, of no particular calling. Il
have liking for these men, but they are
both keen enough to look after their own in
terests. l cast no reflection upon John Paw
son, but would rather not leave him the
task of disinheriting my wife's niece, should
there be need for it," So said the banker.
Mr.. Burtonford had written his own will,
but it was properly signed and witnessed,
and was perfectly legal. in spite Of many
strange remarks and unlawyerlike phrases.
Both Lumley and Moss knew about the
bankers use of their names, and often won
dered whether they would benefit by this
eccentriclty, or remain always mere watch
ers, waiting to see if the course of events
would produce any change in the attitude of
Edith and Eric toward each other, AS far
as they knew, Eric had not been near
Swarfton, and Edith had not seen him any
where else. Sometimes they asked John
swered in his calm. serious manner, that the
provisions of Mr.. Burtonf0rd's will would
be strictly carried out but as far as he knew,
nothing had happened which called for in
reference.
John Pawson will do the square thing"
said Lumley to Moss. "My fear is that those
two did not care as much for each other as
people said"
ST is awkward i" replied Moss. "As rule,
a will like Bur.onford's would kindle love
where it never before existed. There is
nothing like opposition for strengthening af-
lection. But, as usual the one exception to
the rule keeps me poor"
John Pawson often talked to himself about
Eric and Edith. He had known them since
they were children, and had believed that
their fondness for each other would ripen
into true and lasting love.
81 know that Mr.. Burtonfcrd would have
been pleased if he thought that Edith cared
forme." John murmured, with blush, but
that is impossible. / am sure she liked Eric
very much, and yet she never mentions him.
He was fond of her, too, and yet he has kept
aloof. | sent him word about his uncle's
will. and he acknowledged my letter in
very manly way, but j have heard nothing
since. He has been badly treated if he was
innocent; yet cannot see any explanation
of the affair unless he took the notes.
Then he reviewed again, for the hundredth
time, what the banker had told him about
the quarrel with Eric.
Il was in my library at home, John, and
had 10 notes on the table; three were ESQ
notes. and the other seven were $40 notes. |
wanted them for particular purpose l
had just finished entering the numbers in
my diary, when Eric came in. ] told him to
sit down, for was busy. ! wrote up my
diary; then was wanted in the drawing
room Tor a minute. just glanced over tne
table, and left everything as it was. Per
haps was absent five minutes. When re-
turned found EIic seated where | had left
him. Then wrote letter, and Il took up
the notes TO inclose them. 1t was private
affair, john took up the notes, and the
three fifties were missing. Eric declared
that nobody had entered the room during my
absence. and that he had not moved from his
chair. ] am sure nobody had been. in but
himself between the time when / entered
the numbers and the time when | went to
the drawing room. No window was open,
and there was not fire. told him he must
turn out his pockets, and he refused point
blank. Then there was a scene. | sent for
Edith, and told everything to her. Again |
asked him to turn out his pockets but he
still refused. So | ordered him out of the
house, and told him never to show his face
in Swarfton again, or would give him in
charge of the police. l am glad | always
made it clear to him and Edith that there
must be no billing and cooling between them.
Edith is too good for him. What a wife she
will make, John, in a few years! She is
young yet know, but if she had husband
of steadness and experience-a man like
you-it would not matter. | am glad there
was no billing and cooling between her and
Erie"
John Pawson had his doubts about the